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Old 05-10-2012, 01:15 AM   #55 (permalink)
greasemonkee
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Western NC
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I did this mod myself today and used the AC switch (modified and connected to ground) in my VX converted CX.

The Fluke meter reads a max of 14.31 V. with alt in max charging mode and 12.65 V. in low charge mode. These figures hold very steady with rpm change regardless of load.


Something no one has mentioned is that this 1.66 volt reduction equates to less energy required to operate all of the load sources. So for example if the total electrical load of the vehicle is a 10 amp load at 14.31 volts you have 143.1 watts the alternator must produce, and then you drop the voltage to 12.65 volts you have 126.5 watts (approximately) the alternator must produce to keep the system/battery balanced. So to save 16.5 watts of power is it worth it? If it's free I suppose.

The underdrive pulley idea may have merit if one can be picked up cheap, the turbulence within an alternator along with a continuously bending belt might be quite parasitic.
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